Soccer coach returns to Iraq to provide expertise

BRAZIL OF THE MIDDLE EAST

"I've always said that Iraq is the Brazil of the Middle East. We have beautiful skill in this country, we have treasures walking on the ground that we must develop, not just below the ground in the form of oil," he said.

"More focus has to be put on this sport but Iraqi soccer needs organisation that begins at grass-roots level."

Iraq's national team shocked the sporting world last July when they won their first Asian Cup in emphatic fashion despite a lack of time to train, poor facilities and violence affecting squad members and their relatives.
The wildly celebrated victory became an inspiration for a country struggling to quell bloodshed and sectarian violence, encouraging youths seeking to emulate their heroes.
Jasim Hasan coaches an under-15s team in Baghdad's northwestern Shi'ite slum of Shula. He says Wohali's qualities are experience and his effective communication with children.
"The course was very good and he brings good experience with him from England. In Iraq, we are born to play soccer but we need to learn more of the technical side of the game," he said.
The daily 4-hour sessions involve children performing dribbles, as well as other physical exercises.

Youngster Hamza Hasan from Sadr City's under-13s said the new methods were a lot of fun.
"We've really enjoyed the training. He's a good coach and he makes us understand the game more with his encouragement, unlike the coaches here who are aggressive," he said, shortly before running off to join his team-mates running around cones.

Wohali, who holds a Football Association coaching licence and FA certificates, says he will return to England in two weeks and hopes to return again for a broader, more extensive course.
"A few days is not enough to qualify a coach. He needs to go into many courses to learn more. It's not enough but at least it's a start." (Writing by Mussab Al-Khairalla)

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